How did private search engines become a thing? The , Archie Query Form, was developed in 1990, but this search engine looked nothing like today’s well-known search engines. For example, started in 1994 and launched in 1998. first search engine Yahoo! Google Initially the big search engines didn’t do the amount of tracking that they do now. Unfortunately, they have become experts at linking your searches and other web behavior to your specific data profile that they use to advertise to you. It didn’t take long for people to realize the issues with tracked search engines. This lead to the development of like , and . private search engines StartPage DuckDuckGo Search Encrypt A Quick History of Private Search Engines Source: https://choosetoencrypt.com For major search engines, like , Yahoo! and Bing, the largest revenue stream comes from targeted advertising. Ad targeting relies on massive amounts of user , something private search engines don’t have. Private search engines use an entirely different business model, one that doesn’t rely on data. Google data your Ixquick & StartPage Ixquick was an early entry into the private search market. This search engine started in 1998, but wasn’t a “private search engine” for a number of years. In June 2006, after about its privacy, decided to delete all the private details about its users. Ixquick Google Shopping faced criticism Ixquick.com StartPage In 2009, Ixquick relaunched its search engine as , with the idea that the new name would be easier to spell and remember. It must have worked because StartPage now sees about to its site. StartPage 90 million monthly visits StartPage uses the algorithms deliver its search results, but adds privacy measures to keep your searches anonymous. Startpage is based outside the US, has been independently audited, and also offers privacy tools beyond its search engine — making it a solid choice for a . Google private search engine CEO of StartPage : Robert Beens said “The only thing that sets us apart from bigger search that do monetize people’s user behavior is the fact we don’t. That’s what attracts people to us. It’s true that the revenue we make on our ads is far less than what others tend to make — so be it. It’s what makes us unique.” DuckDuckGo DuckDuckGo is the most well-known private search engine. Its founder and CEO, started the company on his own in 2008, and has grown it to processing over a day. DuckDuckGo, similar to , didn’t start as a privacy-focused search engine. Weinberg realized the risk associated with gathering and storing the massive amount of data about users, so in early 2009, he decided DuckDuckGo would stop tracking users’ search history. Gabriel Weinberg 20 million searches Ixquick In February 2012, the search engine saw its first day with over 1 million searches. Just 483 days later DuckDuckGo processed 2 million searches in one day — 8 days later, . The massive growth DDG saw in this time period was a booming time for all . Edward Snowden’s claims about NSA surveillance, and growing privacy concerns caused more people than ever to start using private search engines. 3 million searches private search engines Source: spreadprivacy.com Search Encrypt Search Encrypt launched in April of 2016. A team of developers saw two big flaws with major search engines: and . They decided to try to create a tool that delivered relevant, objective results without tracking any user-identifiable data. tracking filter bubbles Search Encrypt is built with , which means that privacy has always been central to its functionality. It doesn’t track user identifiable information, and encrypts all search terms on its servers. After you’re done searching, your search terms expire so no one can access them, even other users on your computer. privacy-by-design In the past four months, Search Encrypt’s jumped from 2,993 to 832 (it is the 832nd most visited website in the world). Alexa Traffic Rank Try Search Encrypt for Google Chrome Why Do People Use Private Search Engines? To Avoid Filter Bubbles are the result of predictive algorithms only displaying search results or posts in your social feeds that it thinks you’re likely to click on. These are a type of intellectual isolation, because you aren’t getting a complete representation of the available information. Filter bubbles To Keep Their Searches Confidential People use search engines to look up all sorts of crazy things. It’s understandable then that people may not want other people to have access to their search history. And why should anyone need this information? The search engine shouldn’t need it, and neither should advertisers — or anyone else. Even if you don’t have anything to hide, protecting your privacy is in your best interest. If we assume that anyone who tries to maintain their privacy is doing so to hide illegal or negative activity, we shine a toxic light on in general. privacy rights To Avoid Creepy Ads The ads popping up around the web for things you have talked to your friends about have become the norm on the internet. People were caught off guard when this first started happening, but now just take it as part of the internet. This shouldn’t be the case. While this is great for companies trying to sell you their product, it isn’t a user friendly environment. To Maintain Control of Their Data Most websites track you in some way, but private search engines don’t. For anyone who wants to limit their exposure on the internet, choosing sites that don’t track users is a good start. Big search engines have been optimizing their data collection processes for years. They collect tons of information and add it to their “profile” about you. allow companies to charge you more, and specifically target you with ads. These profiles Private search engines don’t need your data to provide their services. They are a vital part of the movement towards a . If the biggest players in the industry are constantly pushing back against privacy laws, the whole internet suffers. decentralized and neutral internet Why Private Search Engines Are Important Big search engines have a monopolistic control over the search market. This means that they can get away with a lot, even if it goes against the interest of their users. The success of private search engine shows that people are willing to give up some of the flashy features of , for privacy — as long as the core product works well. big search engines Can Private Search Engines Really Keep Me Safer Online? Yes. Private search engines keep your identity and web behavior from being sent to third parties. While private search engines alone won’t keep you completely safe, they are a vital addition to a complete set of privacy tools. To add even more privacy to your browsing experience, take these . 8 steps to protect your digital privacy Keep Reading About Private Search Engines & Internet Privacy _Private search engines have seen huge growth over the past few years. Until recently, it was unthinkable that anyone…_hackernoon.com The Best Private Search Engines — Alternatives to Google _Google’s parent company, Alphabet, has a market cap of $712 billion. Within Google’s range of products, there are seven…_hackernoon.com Data Privacy Concerns with Google _Traditionally, a doppelgänger is a person’s look-alike or double. However when applied to data collection and the…_choosetoencrypt.com What are Digital Doppelgängers and How Companies Use Them — Choose To Encrypt

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The History of Private Search Engines

Too Long; Didn't Read

Christian Stewart

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The History of Private Search Engines

Too Long; Didn't Read

Christian Stewart

About Author

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THIS ARTICLE WAS FEATURED IN...

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